Please help...

[asolanom 9]

Hi everyone,

I have been struggling with weight gain weight loss for the past six years. My highest was 230 and was able to loose about 20 lbs with diet and exercise but then the weight loss stopped despite of changing the entire diet and exercise.

Currently I am 210 pounds, 5 3". There are multiple factors that have caused this of course... Eating habits and exercise habits but also I was diagnosed with resistance to insulin and at some point was told I had hypothyroidism. Over the years as I have struggled to lose weight while trying everything possible, I was told my thyroid was back to "normal".

However I still cannot seem to lose weight... Several of my friends have had very successful Sleeve stories and I have been thinking about the surgery for the past two or three years. I already spoke to a surgeon but I am still feeling pretty nervous about this as it is a lifestyle change and commitment.

A friend told me about this forum, so I was wondering if you guys could help me out and tell me what your success has been and if you have any regrets to your decision?

Please don't sugarcoat it Thanks in advance to everyone and good luck on your progress!!

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[Margie122 845]

Hi,

I am 5'10" and at my heaviest was 295lbs. I'm now 187lbs. I had surgery on 8/17. BEST DECISION I EVER MADE. Was it easy? No. It required some serious lifestyle changes but it was SO worth it. Unfortunately I had some complications (reaction to anesthesia) and ended up back in the hospital for 4 additional days. I would do it ALL OVER AGAIN in a heartbeat.

I am so much more active and am really enjoying life and all the things I can do now that I couldn't before.

I would encourage you to read as many books about the sleeve surgery as you can. I highly recommend the following:

1) The Success Habits of Weight Loss Surgery Patients

2) The Sleeved Life

3) The Big Book of Gastric Sleeve

I also encourage you to read these boards

Best of luck!

[MarciaN 391]

I am 5'2" and was 286 when I started this journey (March 2015) Lost 68 pounds before surgery on pre-op diet. Surgery on Nov 24, 2015. Just had my 6 month post surgery check up and I am down 118 pounds. Feel so wonderful! Only 33 left until I am at goal. Am so glad I went on this journey. Good luck to you and know that there is HOPE!

[KristenLe 5,979]

@@asolanom Welcome! I'm in the pre-surgery stages of getting the sleeve. I would encourage you to go to a Bariatric Surgery seminar as a first step. Also - contact your insurance plan to determine coverage and authorization requirements. I also struggle to lose any good amount of weight - also have hypothyroidism, hypertension, sleep Apnea, and PCOS (which you may want to look into whether or not that is your issue as well with the insulin resistance.).

During my pre-surgery phase, I'm going to counseling/therapy to learn how to deal with emotional eating (mostly mindless eating) and I feel like it is making me better prepared for my life after WLS. Whether or not you decide on having WLS, I strongly encourage therapy to deal with emotional eating.

Good luck on your decision!!!

Kristen

[Montana Gal 448]

@@asolanom, I had my VSG on 2/9/16, my one regret....wish I had done this 10 years ago. The first week was very hard, then each week it got a little better. Before I knew it a few months had passed and all of the changes became my "new normal". What has really amazed me about this surgery is that if you follow your surgeons guidelines like Protein and Water goals, exercise a little each day the weight really does come off. Other "diets" in the past have always failed, even if I follow them to the letter. Yes, this surgery is a commitment and a big lifestyle change, but the results are so motivating and the surgery actually got me excited for the first time about nutrition! I am obsessed with clean and healthy food for the first time. I hope this helps, I know it's scary...there are options and lots of hope! Good luck to you!

[dede0314 356]

I am 7 months post-op. I have no regrets! It is differently a hard journey but I made the decision to have surgery for myself. Life is so much better now. It is a lifestyle change and a big commitment but its worth it.

[Sophie74656 1,572]

i am 8 months post op and only have one regret

that I didn't do this years ago.

it is a major lifelong change and you need to be fully commited to it...but honestly for me it hasn't been super difficult. Some major adjustments but I find my thinking about food is different now. Yes I still obsess about food and think about it often, and still LOOOOVE food.

I have lost 175 lbs since my sleeve in Sept 2015

[animallover1247 249]

I would like to add to the list of recommended books to read:

The Emotional First + Aid Kit: A Practical Guide to Life After Bariatric Surgery Written by Cynthia L. Alexander, PsyD.

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

I would like to add to the list of recommended books to read:

The Emotional First + Aid Kit: A Practical Guide to Life After Bariatric Surgery Written by Cynthia L. Alexander, PsyD.

Absolutely no regrets. I am a little over a year out and a little over half way to goal.

Another good book is: "Eat it Up!" by Connie Stapleton.

[Gypsy52 5]

Can I ask what was the bad reaction to the anaesthetic?

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[Gypsy52 5]

Hi,

I am 5'10" and at my heaviest was 295lbs. I'm now 187lbs. I had surgery on 8/17. BEST DECISION I EVER MADE. Was it easy? No. It required some serious lifestyle changes but it was SO worth it. Unfortunately I had some complications (reaction to anesthesia) and ended up back in the hospital for 4 additional days. I would do it ALL OVER AGAIN in a heartbeat.

I am so much more active and am really enjoying life and all the things I can do now that I couldn't before.

I would encourage you to read as many books about the sleeve surgery as you can. I highly recommend the following:

1) The Success Habits of Weight Loss Surgery Patients

2) The Sleeved Life

3) The Big Book of Gastric Sleeve

I also encourage you to read these boards

Best of luck!

Can I ask? What was the bad reaction to anaesthetic?

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[Margie122 845]

Can I ask what was the bad reaction to the anaesthetic?

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Sure....no problem! I started to dry heave and was very nauseous. They admitted me because they were concerned I might pop a staple line. It took a while to get that under control.

[asolanom 9]

Wow! To everyone here, thanks a lot!! It really calms me down to hear success stories!

I know this is a tool that helps us change our lifestyle and I hope I can be as happy as you all are!!

Thank you for taking the time to help me out! Good luck to everyone and I hope to get surgery in the next few months!

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